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February 13, 1995 <br /> Page 10 <br /> Plains. The proposed uses for landscape contracting and garden <br /> center businesses are also distinct from other commercial uses in <br /> that they are consistent with agricultural use and require a rural <br /> location due to extensive land area needs and proximity of <br /> resources. The proposed landscape contracting and garden center <br /> businesses are compatible with and will maintain the rural <br /> character of the Town. <br /> Moreover, it is invalid for opponents of this project to <br /> argue, as they have, that this limited type of commercial <br /> development will spawn a free-flowing flood of unlimited additional <br /> commercial development. Limitations inherent in the nature of this <br /> project will deter future developers from proposing broader land <br /> uses in the area. Those same limitations will permit Town and <br /> County government to counter any arguments of precedent promoted by <br /> future developers . No doubt, proximity to other commercial <br /> property is one of many bases for granting zoning changes. But to <br /> the extent that future developers can argue that they should be <br /> granted commercial zoning in the subject area, they can make the <br /> same arguments today and point to the 57-acres of commercial <br /> property adjacent to the subject property for precedent. <br /> (6) Arguments Refuting Miscellaneous Opposing Arguments. <br /> Several miscellaneous arguments have been made opposing <br /> the petition, all of which can be refuted as follows: <br /> (a) Parks and Open Space Plan. Opponents argue that <br /> rezoning the parcel violates the Dane County Parks <br /> and Open Space Plan. This is not a good basis for <br /> denying the petition because the Parks and Open <br /> Space Plan is advisory only; it has not been <br /> adopted by the Town through Home Rule as a policy <br /> guide. In the opinion of Dane County Corporation <br /> Counsel, the Parks and Open Space Plan has no legal <br /> effect and does not affect landowners' rights to <br /> develop or otherwise use their land to the extent <br /> permitted by law. The Parks and Open Space Plan <br /> operates only as a device to capture state and <br /> federal park development funding. See attached <br /> Exhibit A. For these reasons the Parks and Open <br /> Space Plan should be disregarded and is no reason <br /> for denying this petition. The County must <br /> carefully consider whether dependence upon and <br /> enforcement of the Parks and Open Space Plan prior <br /> to its formal adoption by the Home Rule Towns of <br /> the County constitutes a violation of landowners' <br /> due process rights. <br />